Mexican challenger Carlos Carlson declared that he would take Shinsuke Yamanaka¡¯s WBC bantamweight title belt when they square off at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Thursday evening.
The Japanese champion did not overreact in response to the challenger¡¯s bold statement, calmly saying that the emerald green-colored belt would return to the shelf at his home.
¡°This is a huge opportunity for me,¡± Carlson, who is getting his first world championship shot, said through an interpreter at Tuesday¡¯s signing ceremony for the bout at a Tokyo hotel. ¡°I¡¯m grateful to be able to have a fight in this wonderful country. My condition is good and I¡¯m ready to fight. This is going to be a battle between Mexico and Japan.¡±
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